Petition: Local group calls for animal protections
According to one local group, the following appeal pertains to current ordinances in the City of Thomasville, NC and applies to dogs living outside year-round and dog breeders in the community.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
A petition is circulating on Change.org:
“Temps falling into the teens and below next week! If you have outside dogs or cats PLEASE provide them bedding (Less than $10 at Walmart or Tractor Supply) & door flaps (Tarps $1.25 @ Dollar Tree) better yet BRING THEM INSIDE! Also: Please sign/share this petition for common sense comforts for all the outside animals in the City of Thomasville NC! These things should be implemented into our animal welfare ordinances so AC can enforce them:”
1.) SHADE: Should be required for any dog living outside in direct sunlight during summer months. Whether it be provided by: trees, tarp, canopy, carport, garage, high-density light filtering sunshades, etc.
Explanation: Dog houses especially the plastic variety, are brutal during warm/hot months when in direct sunlight. They provide no relief from sweltering heat and blistering sun due to environment and surface temperatures.
**Housing a dog in direct sunlight should only be considered sufficient during winter months for added warmth.**
2.) SILVER BOWLS, BUCKETS: Should be considered inappropriate for dogs living outside year-round.
Explanation: Quickly freezes water in the winter and boils water in the summer, making the dog unable to properly hydrate.
3.) BEDDING IN HOUSES: Pet owners should be required to provide bedding inside dog houses during winter months. Whether it be: pine or cedar shavings, straw or hay. Blankets/fabric should be prohibited due to the potential for causing hypothermia if the fabric becomes wet.
Explanation: To prevent discomfort, hypothermia, death
4.) HOUSING: Dog houses should be raised off the ground if placed in an area prone to flooding during rain and snow. Wooden pallets, bricks, etc. Or moved to a different location on the property.
Explanation: To enable the dog to use the house during inclement weather.
5.) LENGTH OF TETHER: A designated length of tether should be addressed. Anything shorter than 10ft with a swivel should be prohibited.
Explanation: To give the dog adequate living space, moving freely, prevent entanglement. Following Davidson co guidelines
6.) DOG BREEDING PERMIT: The current annual permit fee to breed dogs in the city limits, should be raised to a minimum of $125.00 annually per dog not per owner/property.
Explanation: Due to the vast overpopulation problem that exist in our community and county animal shelter, the incentive to breed profit pups to be sold unaltered, unvaccinated, unwormed should be curbed not encouraged. Costly and potentially deadly diseases are spread to other pets in the community because of this such as Distemper/Parvo, Influenza, Giardia, etc. As well, overbreeding dogs continuously fills the animal shelter where dogs of all ages are euthanized for space if not rescued or adopted in ample time. Our shelter is only allowed to hold so many as designated by the NC Dept of Ag.
***Unlike all other businesses, dog breeders do not pay state/county taxes regardless of how much money they take in. Larger permit fees (which brings more money into the city budget) and vaccinations to protect the dogs/puppies and other animals in the community is not an overreach***
7.) DOG BREEDING, BACKYARD OR PROFESSIONAL: Owner should be required to provide proof of vaccinations for breed dogs, prior to breeding.
Explanation: It is widely known that dog breeders should vaccinate dogs prior to breeding. This helps give newborn pups antibodies/immunity at birth until they reach the age of vaccination and curbs the spread of potentially deadly diseases to other animals in the community.
8.) PUPPY SALES: Dog breeders selling at public locations, whether inside or outside of businesses and directly to individuals from the breeders residence, should be required to provide dated proof of vaccinations to the buyer at the time of purchase and to the business owners prior to selling.
Explanation: Refer to explanation (6)
9.) QUESTION PET OWNERS: Animal control officers should ask for proof of Rabies vaccine during all welfare checks, as it is required by the state of North Carolina. As well, if an officer witnesses an animal of inadequate weight during a welfare check, they should be allowed to inquire with the owner if there is a medical reason for this and shown proof or if it is determined that the weight loss is due to lack of food, offer the owner resources to obtain nourishment for their pet.
Explanation: Hard times can happen to anyone and often times people do not know where to reach out for help with pet food. There are organizations in the community that will donate pet food if needed.
10.) WHO WILL ENFORCE THE REQUESTED AMENDENTS: Animal Control Officers during welfare checks.
Explanation: Like any other violation/crime police officers are dispatched to, these amendments would fall under complaint based only. Animal Control Officers are not expected to ride the streets looking for violations in order to cite pet owners. Animal Control Officers are often hindered by “vague & non-existent laws” they need in order to do their job properly for the animals in the community. Each city and county has the right to implement their own ordinances, while following our state animal welfare laws as well.
***It is time to stop making excuses for pet owners when it’s the animals that are suffering. There is NO law in the state of North Carolina that requires a person to own a dog or breed them for profit. It is a choice! When people willingly take on the responsibility of an animal, they should be protected and given the best existence possible. ***
